Satetsu Arc
A wandering swordsman faces the relentless pursuit of the Imperial Police's Blue Flash.
This early storyline in the Rurouni Kenshin narrative focuses on Himura Kenshin's initial encounters during his wandering years in the Meiji era, specifically highlighting his complex rivalry with an officer of the Imperial Police. While often associated with the antagonist Saitou Hajime in canonical discussions, this period establishes the tension between Kenshin's pacifist resolve and the government's pursuit of the Battousai. It serves as a foundational chapter that explores themes of justice, redemption, and the lingering shadows of the Bakumatsu.
- Key Character
- Saitou Hajime
- Affiliation
- Imperial Police (Kenkaku)
- Timeline Placement
- Early Meiji Era (Post-Bakumatsu)
- Status
- Active Antagonist/Ally
- Weapon
- Zanbatou
Lore & Background
During this phase of Kenshin's journey, he is frequently targeted by Saitou Hajime, a man obsessed with tracking down the legendary assassin. Unlike other adversaries who seek to kill for power or ideology, Saitou pursues Kenshin to execute him as a criminal from the past, believing justice demands his death regardless of current circumstances. This dynamic creates a unique cat-and-mouse game where Kenshin must avoid conflict while protecting innocents, often leading to tense standoffs that test his vow never to take another life.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked the cobblestones of Kyoto as Kenshin tightened the straps on his sandals. From the shadows of a nearby alley, the metallic glint of a Zanbatou caught the dim lantern light. Saitou Hajime stepped forward, his expression unreadable beneath the brim of his hat. "You cannot outrun your past forever," the officer whispered, gripping his weapon with white-knuckled intensity. Kenshin turned, his reverse-blade sword resting calmly against his back, a silent promise that he would not strike first.
Reader's Guide
The arc begins shortly after Kenshin settles in Tokyo and takes up residence at the Kamiya dojo. Saitou Hajime is introduced as a relentless pursuer who views Kenshin solely through the lens of his past crimes. Conflict arises when Saitou attempts to arrest or confront Kenshin during various missions, often clashing with Kenshin's new philosophy of non-lethal combat. These encounters are interspersed with other minor cases involving bandits or local threats. Resolution is never final; instead, a tense truce forms where both men acknowledge each other as formidable opponents. Saitou eventually becomes an uneasy ally in later conflicts against greater threats like Shishio.
Did You Know?
- Saitou Hajime's Zanbatou was originally used by the Bakumatsu police force before he adopted it for his own use.
- This rivalry is one of the few instances where Kenshin faces a pursuer who knows his true identity as Battousai from the start.
- The Imperial Police unit Saitou leads often operates outside standard legal procedures to achieve their goals.